The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following:
DPNR performed water quality analysis at 35 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Nov. 11-15, 2019. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Shoy’s
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
Stony Ground
Buccaneer
Rainbow
Protestant Cay
Gentle Winds
Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
Frederiksted Public Beach
Cramer’s Park
Chenay Bay
Grapetree Bay
Cane Bay
Ha’ penny
Princess (Condo Row)
St. Thomas
Hull Bay
Magens Bay
Frenchman’s Bay
Bolongo Bay
Vessup Bay
Brewers Bay
Lindqvist
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire
Secret Harbor
Bluebeard’s
St. John
Oppenheimer
Cruz Bay
Johnson Bay
Frank Bay
The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established enterococci bacteria threshold, and, therefore, are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Dorsch Beach
St. Thomas
Morningstar
Water Bay
Coki Point
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beach:
Limetree Bay on St. Thomas; therefore, the water quality of this beach is unknown.
All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles and drainage basins) or if any area appears discolored or has foul odors. DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 0n St. Thomas.
